On this, the first Shabbat of 2026, I am grateful for the turning of another page in this amazing novel I call my life. This year, the chapters were full of love and laughter, challenges and changes, frightening moments, and surprising beauty. Each day, I was reminded that life is short and fragile. Each day, I have the opportunity to live fully; to embrace whatever unfolds.
It is so easy to judge something as good or bad, rather than seeing it as neutral. Spilled cup of tea? Oh well, I can clean it up and move on. Stuck in traffic due to an accident? I feel grateful that I was not in the accident. Career challenges or financial stress? I know I have been through these situations before and know how to handle them.
And sometimes, amazingly, something that at first seems to be a problem, or even a possible disaster, turns into a gift. In the past, I have lost a job and then immediately found a better one. Friends have “ghosted” me, and after the pain, I found that I was actually happier and stronger. Struggles have taught me to have strong boundaries. Mistakes have helped me change direction. And in the end, painful situations fade into the background of my life story.
I have realized that my interpretation of events caused me to spiral upward or downward. If I view my life through the eyes of despair, everything seems like a disaster. When I remember that I am a survivor, that I am resilient, and that life is full of possibilities, I spiral upward. I write my own story
May we all have a year full of joy, laughter, love, and fun adventures, with just enough challenges to help us grow. May we all walk through this year with the courage to face the future with an open heart and to stand tall when life demands it, and to write the story we wish to live.
Life on the Loose